HB 1206 — An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for school chaplains.

PRINTER'S NO.   1354

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 1206
                                                  Session of
                                                    2025

     INTRODUCED BY ZIMMERMAN, D'ORSIE, GREINER, HAMM, BARGER,
        M. MACKENZIE, JAMES, LEADBETER, FINK AND ROWE, APRIL 15, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, APRIL 15, 2025


                                       AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
 2      act relating to the public school system, including certain
 3      provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
 4      schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
 5      laws relating thereto," providing for school chaplains.
 6      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 7   hereby enacts as follows:
 8      Section 1.     The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
 9   as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding an
10   article to read:
11                               ARTICLE XIII-F
12                              SCHOOL CHAPLAINS
13   Section 1301-F.    Scope of article.
14      This article relates to school chaplains.
15   Section 1302-F.    Definitions.
16      The following words and phrases when used in this article
17   shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
18   context clearly indicates otherwise:
19      "Certified school chaplain."      An individual certified by the
 1   National School Chaplain Association or other similar
 2   organization.
 3      "Public school entity."     A school district, intermediate
 4   unit, area career and technical school, charter school, cyber
 5   charter school or regional charter school.
 6   Section 1303-F.    Certified school chaplains.
 7      (a)   Authorization.--A public school entity may employ, or
 8   approve as a volunteer, a certified school chaplain to provide
 9   support, services and programs for students and employees as
10   assigned by the governing body of the school if the certified
11   school chaplain has satisfied the requirements under sections
12   111 and 111.1 and 23 Pa.C.S. § 6344 (relating to employees
13   having contact with children; adoptive and foster parents) or
14   6344.2 (relating to volunteers having contact with children).
15      (b)   State certification not required.--A certified school
16   chaplain employed or volunteering under this article is not
17   required to be certified under Article XI.
18   Section 1304-F.    Duties of a public school entity.
19      The governing board of a public school entity shall take a
20   vote, no later than six months after the effective date of this
21   section, on whether to adopt a policy authorizing the public
22   school entity to employ, or approve as a volunteer, a certified
23   school chaplain.
24      Section 2.     This amendatory act shall be known as the
25   Student and Teacher Support Act.
26      Section 3.     This act shall take effect immediately.




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